doubt
/daʊt/ (bre, ipa) · /daʊt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈdau̇t/ (ame, mw)
doubt — noun
- doubtsingular
- doubtsplural
1. a situation where you are not sure if something is true, accurate, or will happe
a situation where you are not sure if something is true, accurate, or will happen as expected
The journalist expressed doubt about the accuracy of the official report.
express doubt about [something]
There is still considerable doubt among climate scientists regarding the rate of sea-level rise.
there is doubt among [group] regarding [topic]
The student had serious doubts about whether her college application would be accepted.
A small doubt crept into the manager's mind as she reviewed the contract one more time.
- uncertainty
more general and can be factual; 'doubt' implies personal questioning
- skepticism
more intellectual and deliberate; 'doubt' can be more emotional
- hesitation
focuses on unwillingness to act; 'doubt' focuses on lack of belief
- certainty
complete confidence in the truth of something
- conviction
a strong, firmly held belief
用法筆記
Commonly used in the plural (doubts) when referring to multiple specific uncertainties. Frequently followed by 'about', 'regarding', or 'as to'.
常見錯誤
2. used to express your belief that a statement or prediction is accurate or likely
used to express your belief that a statement or prediction is accurate or likely, even when you cannot prove it
No doubt you have already heard the news about the company merger.
No doubt + past perfect — confident assumption
The director will no doubt be satisfied with the final version of the film.
will no doubt — confident prediction
There is no doubt that regular exercise improves both physical and mental health.
The committee will no doubt want to study the budget proposal before making a decision.
- undoubtedly
stronger and more formal; expresses complete certainty
- surely
more subjective; expresses the speaker's own expectation
- doubtless
more literary and slightly old-fashioned
文法句型
no doubt + that-clause
no doubt + clause
There is no doubt that…
用法筆記
'No doubt' can express genuine certainty OR a slightly sarcastic or ironic tone depending on context, but the neutral tone is most common for learners. It is softer than 'without doubt' and more tentative than 'undoubtedly'.
常見錯誤
3. to make people feel uncertain about the truth, value, or reliability of somethin
to make people feel uncertain about the truth, value, or reliability of something, usually by presenting new information or asking difficult questions
New evidence has cast doubt on the original conclusions of the research paper.
cast doubt on [evidence/conclusions]
The accountant's questions threw doubt on the accuracy of the financial records.
throw doubt on [accuracy/validity]
The discovery of a second set of fingerprints cast doubt on the detective's main theory.
The journalist's investigation cast serious doubt on the official version of the events.
文法句型
cast doubt on [something]
throw doubt on [something]
raise doubt about [something]
用法筆記
The most common verb partner is 'cast' (cast doubt on). 'Throw doubt on' and 'raise doubt about' are less common alternatives. The subject is typically new information, a discovery, or a question.
4. in a state where it is uncertain whether something will continue to exist, be su
in a state where it is uncertain whether something will continue to exist, be successful, or happen as planned
The future of the community center remains in doubt after the city council cut its funding.
future remains in doubt
With the team's best player injured, their chances of winning the championship were in doubt.
chances in doubt
The success of the new restaurant was in doubt until the chef completely changed the menu.
The patient's recovery was in doubt for several weeks following the surgery.
- certain
sure to happen; not in any doubt
- guaranteed
formally assured to happen
文法句型
[something] in doubt
remain in doubt
future/success in doubt
用法筆記
This is a predicative expression — it always follows the verb (be/remain/seem). It cannot be used before a noun like an adjective. 'In doubt' is typically used with abstract subjects like future, success, or chances.
常見錯誤
5. used to emphasize that you are completely certain about your opinion or judgment
used to emphasize that you are completely certain about your opinion or judgment, especially when stating something forcefully
The older violinist is without doubt the most accomplished musician in the orchestra.
without doubt — emphatic opinion
The prosecutor must prove the defendant's guilt beyond reasonable doubt in a criminal trial.
beyond reasonable doubt — legal standard
Without doubt, the most important factor in a child's education is the support they receive at home.
The nurse's dedication to her patients is beyond doubt — she works extra shifts without complaint.
- undoubtedly
adverb that can replace 'without doubt' in most contexts
- indisputably
more formal; implies no one could argue against it
文法句型
without doubt
beyond doubt
beyond reasonable doubt
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 2 (no doubt): 'without doubt' / 'beyond doubt' express complete certainty with no tentativeness, while 'no doubt' can sometimes be hedging or ironic. In legal contexts 'beyond reasonable doubt' is a specific standard of proof.
常見錯誤
doubt — verb
- doubtpresent simple I / you / we / they
- doubts3rd person singular
- doubting-ing form
- doubtedpast simple
1. to feel uncertain about whether a claim is accurate or whether a particular even
to feel uncertain about whether a claim is accurate or whether a particular event will occur; to consider something unlikely
The scientist doubted whether the experiment could be repeated with the same results.
doubt whether [clause]
Many residents doubt that the new policy will create enough jobs in the region.
doubt that [clause]
The chef doubted the vegetables would still be fresh after three days without refrigeration.
The travel agent doubted the tour could be organized in less than a week.
- question
more active; questioning implies raising issues; doubting is more internal
- disbelieve
stronger; implies outright rejection rather than uncertainty
- be skeptical of
more intellectual; implies a reasoned critical stance
文法句型
doubt + noun phrase
doubt + that-clause
doubt + whether/if-clause
用法筆記
Frequently followed by a that-clause (doubt that…) or a whether/if clause (doubt whether…). 'Doubt that' is more common in American English. The negative form 'I don't doubt that…' means 'I believe that…'.
常見錯誤
2. to not trust a person or to not believe that what someone says is true or honest
to not trust a person or to not believe that what someone says is true or honest
The jury had good reason to doubt the testimony of the main witness.
doubt testimony/evidence
After being caught lying twice, the assistant found that everyone doubted everything he said.
The investors doubted the company's earnings report and hired an outside auditor to verify the numbers.
The librarian doubted the man's explanation for needing the rare manuscripts.
文法句型
doubt + noun phrase (person/claim/testimony)
用法筆記
Distinguish from verb sense 1: sense 1 doubts claims and possibilities (the truth of an idea); sense 2 doubts a person's character or honesty. When the object is a person, sense 2 is usually intended.